ALLTEL Stadium
Jacksonville, FL
February 6, 2005
Attendance: 78,125
SCORING
Philadelphia 0 7 7 7 -- 21
New England 0 7 7 10 -- 24
The Super Bowl XXXIX was a great match-up that was played between two teams which are both veterans and have formed legacies in some time or the other. The Patriots rose to the occasion and took the victory home by 42-21.
With Super Bowl win No. 3, Patriots coach Bill Belichick can be indeed called one of the game's all-time greats. Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville , home of the Jaguars hosted the most anticipated and watched sporting event of the year. The entire season was a mix match of great job of building drama throughout the regular season and the playoffs. The highlight of the spectacular season was that England only lost two games and went 14-2.
The impact of the regular season loss to Pittsburgh and the mounting injuries to the team's defensive backs and Cory Dillon's impact on the Patriot's running game during the regular season and playoffs and that gave Troy Brown's defensive back play some much deserved airtime were also the highlights of the season.
The announcers this time were Dick Stockton and Darryl Johnston, who were excellent in their job. Tom Brady had a slow start but he managed to put the game in the second half with some clutch plays. But still, he shined again on the big stage with 236 yards passing and two touchdowns.
The Patriots somehow spliced up together a unit that, despite a string of injuries defied all wisdom and managed to finish a second consecutive campaign as Super Bowl champions with a 17-2 record.
Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb had lamenting moments going just 31-50 with 3 costly interceptions. Not even a monstrous performance by Owens could save the team. Deion Branch had 11 catches, tying a Super Bowl record, and was named the Super Bowl MVP.
In 2005, the Patriots recorded their ninth consecutive postseason victory, coming at par with Vince Lombardi's Green Bay Packers. It was coach Bill Belichick's 10th playoff victory in 11 games, and his team matched Dallas ' run of three championships in four years in the early 1990s.
In 2005, the Patriots recorded their ninth consecutive postseason victory, coming at par with Vince Lombardi's Green Bay Packers. It was coach Bill Belichick's 10th playoff victory in 11 games, and his team matched Dallas ' run of three championships in four years in the early 1990s.
Prior to the season, the Patriots acquired veteran running back Corey Dillon from the Cincinnati Bengals. Though his injuries raised many doubts, but still the Patriots signed the running back in exchange for a second-round draft pick. With Dillon on the line-up the 2004 Patriots broke the NFL record for the most consecutive regular season victories (18), the record for the most consecutive overall victories (21) and earned the second best regular season record during the year at 14–2.
Pro Bowl quarterback Tom Brady remained at the rudder of the Patriots offense. On the defensive front the Patriots were plagued by injuries. But New England continued to win despite the injuries. Defensive backs Tyrone Poole and Ty Law suffered season-ending injuries, while safety Eugene Wilson missed several games. They were replaced by rookie cornerback Randall Gay, defensive back Asante Samuel, Safety Earthwind Moreland.
New England also featured the trio of great veteran linebackers: Tedy Bruschi, Willie McGinest and Mike. Conversely, the Eagles entered the 2004 regular season after suffering 3 successive defeats in the NFC Championship Game. Though they had been a consistent winner during the past few seasons, but failed to advance to the Super Bowl.
Philadelphia developed a reputation of "not being able to win the big games" despite of featuring Reid and McNabb. Prior to the 2004 season the Eagles signed free agent veteran wide receiver Terrell Owens to help get them to the Super Bowl. The Eagles defense was widely considered to be the best aspect of their team.
The Eagles defeated the Minnesota Vikings, 27–14 in divisional playoffs, and the Atlanta Falcons, 27–10, in the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Patriots defeated the Indianapolis Colts, 20–3 in the divisional playoffs and the Steelers in the AFC Championship Game, 41–27. in the finals with MVP Deion Branch tying a Super Bowl record for receptions with 11, Brady efficiently running the offense and Rodney Harrison sparking a smothering defense, the Patriots (17-2) didn't require a last-second field goal from Adam Vinatieri this time.
The Eagles defeated the Minnesota Vikings, 27–14 in divisional playoffs, and the Atlanta Falcons, 27–10, in the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Patriots defeated the Indianapolis Colts, 20–3 in the divisional playoffs and the Steelers in the AFC Championship Game, 41–27. in the finals with MVP Deion Branch tying a Super Bowl record for receptions with 11, Brady efficiently running the offense and Rodney Harrison sparking a smothering defense, the Patriots (17-2) didn't require a last-second field goal from Adam Vinatieri this time.
In the best-of-seven format McNabb completed 30 out of 51 passes for 357 yards and 3 touchdowns, but threw 3 interceptions and was sacked four times. Westbrook was the Eagles leading rusher with 44 yards, while also catching 6 passes for 70 yards and a touchdown. The Patriots clearly dominated every aspect of this game, from defense to passing and rushing the football.
